For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

ISAIAH 66:18KJV
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Isaiah 66:18 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 66:18 mean?

Isaiah 66:18 says that God knows the actions and thoughts of people and promises a time when He will gather people from all nations and languages to witness His glory. This verse points to an event where God’s presence and greatness will be revealed to a diverse and worldwide audience.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah records God’s words to the people of Israel near the end of the book. The setting is a message of hope and restoration after judgment, where God looks beyond Israel to include all nations. The verse highlights God’s awareness of every person and His intention to make Himself known to all humanity, not just one group.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 66:18

  • "Gather" (קָבַץ, qavats): This word means to collect or assemble, often used for bringing people together from different places. Here, it emphasizes that God’s plan is inclusive, reaching beyond Israel to all nations.
  • "Nations" (גּוֹי, goy): This term refers to peoples or ethnic groups outside of Israel. Its use here shows that God’s promise is not limited to Israel but extends to every group in the world.
  • "Tongues" (לָשׁוֹן, lashon): Literally meaning "languages," this word underlines the diversity of those God will gather, stressing that language differences will not be a barrier to seeing God’s glory.
  • "Glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavod): This word often refers to God’s visible majesty or presence. In this context, it means that people from every background will have the opportunity to witness God’s greatness firsthand.

Why Isaiah 66:18 matters

  • Isaiah 66:18 clarifies that God’s concern and invitation are not restricted to one nation or language, but extend to all humanity, correcting any idea that God’s promises are exclusive.
  • The verse connects to the wider message of Isaiah 66, where God promises both judgment and hope, showing that His ultimate plan is to reveal Himself to the whole world.
  • This verse helps readers see the inclusiveness of God’s vision, setting the stage for later biblical themes where people from every nation are welcomed into God’s presence.

Where else these words appear

“thoughts” Hebrew H4284 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
  • Psalms 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
  • Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

“tongues” Hebrew H3956 · used in 115 verses

  • Genesis 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
  • Psalms 39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
  • Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

“gather” Hebrew H6908 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
  • Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.